Siem Reap Province Research Articles

Four new species of the lanternfly genus Zanna Kirkaldy, 1902 from Cambodia and Vietnam (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Fulgoridae)

Four new species of Zanna Kirkaldy, 1902 are described: two from Cambodia, Z. chartieri Constant sp. nov. from Tatai in Koh Kong Province and Z. limbourgi Constant sp. nov. from Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary in Kampong Speu Province and Kbal Spean in Siem Reap Province, and two from Vietnam: Z. bidoupana sp. nov. from Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park in Lam Dong Province and Z. kusamae sp. nov. from Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve in Dong Nai Province. Illustrations of the holotypes and male genitalia, photographs of live specimens and nymphs, a distribution map and host plants records are provided. The type of Zanna chinensis (Distant, 1893) is also illustrated for comparison. The genus Zanna now contains 37 species.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles in Vibrio spp. and Aeromonas spp. from Pangasius Fish: Detection and Identification from the Three Markets at Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles in Vibrio spp. and Aeromonas spp. from Pangasius Fish: Detection and Identification from the Three Markets at Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

Do training and motivation improve employee performance? Evidence from a five-star hotel in Siem Reap Province

Do training and motivation improve employee performance? Evidence from a five-star hotel in Siem Reap Province

The impact of employee empowerment on job satisfaction, job loyalty, and intention to leave from Private Schools in Siem Reap Province

The impact of employee empowerment on job satisfaction, job loyalty, and intention to leave from Private Schools in Siem Reap Province

Green Human Resource Management and Its Impacts on Competitive Advantages in Private School

Industry growth and technological advancement have increased concerns about the environment. These concerns require companies to adopt environmental practices in their business operations. Green practices in human resources are important. However, there was no study on environmental adoption in human resources in Cambodia. The research aims to assess the extent of green human resource management practices and the relationship between these practices and competitive advantages. Researchers randomly selected a total of 100 teachers from private schools in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, for interviews. A Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 was used in this research, with 1 indicating "strongly disagree" and 5 indicating "strongly agree." A descriptive statistic tool (mean, frequency) and an inferential statistic (multiple regression) were employed. The data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential SPSS tools. A high degree of green human resource management was found to be implemented. Green human resource practices, including staff recruitment and selection, training and development, staff performance appraisal, staff empowerment, and staff communication culture, were found to significantly and statistically predict competitive advantages. Further research should be conducted on green practices in private schools and other sectors, as well as in different geographical areas.

Growth Performance of Crocodile Fed with Chicken Intestine and Trash Fish at Smallholder Farm in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

Growth Performance of Crocodile Fed with Chicken Intestine and Trash Fish at Smallholder Farm in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

Study on the physicochemical, nutritional, and phytochemical properties in five turmeric varieties

Turmeric is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, which known as a traditional medicine in Southeast Asian countries and can be used as a spice, food preservative, and colorant. The aim of the study was to determine the physicochemical, nutritional, bioactive compound and curcuminoid of five types Turmeric varieties. Five turmeric varieties were collected from Siem Reap province and were freeze-dry before studying. According to the results, the L*, a*, b*, and ΔE value of dried turmeric varieties such as BLK, BG, SN1, FG, and BRN were in the range 58.17±0.00 to 81.89±0.01, -1.46±0.01 to 6.74±0.00, -0.72±0.01 to36.48±0.01, and 14.912±0.01 to 38.12±0.01, respectively. The pH and acidity value ranged from 5.82±0.05 to 6.32±0.01, 0.36±0.01 to 0.85±0.00%, respectively. Moreover, the results of physicochemical were 1.94±0.07 to 3.60±0.22% moisture, 3.26±0.27 to 7.55±0.48% ash, 1.37±0.70 to 11.76±0.67% fiber, and 2.09±0.23 to 10.12±0.87% lipid. The higher value of TPC, TFC, TCC, and TAA were found 11.96±0.98 mg GAE/g db, 83.70±8.11 mg QE/g db, 5.6±0.05%, and 80.71±1.43%. Furthermore, the higher value of CUR, DMC, and BDMC were found in the range 1.60±0.27, 5.87±0.01, and 1.38±0.02 mg/100g db. However, only two turmeric varieties, BLK and FG, were not detected in curcuminoid.

Estimating minimum dietary diversity for children aged 6-23 months: a comparison of agreement and cost of two recall methods in Cambodia and Zambia.

To compare the agreement and cost of two recall methods for estimating children's minimum dietary diversity (MDD). We assessed child's dietary intake on two consecutive days: an observation on day one, followed by two recall methods (list-based recall and multiple-pass recall) administered in random order by different enumerators at two different times on day two. We compared the estimated MDD prevalence using survey-weighted linear probability models following a two one-sided test equivalence testing approach. We also estimated the cost-effectiveness of the two methods. Cambodia (Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Battambang, and Pursat provinces) and Zambia (Chipata, Katete, Lundazi, Nyimba, and Petauke districts). Children aged 6-23 months: 636 in Cambodia and 608 in Zambia. MDD estimations from both recall methods were equivalent to the observation in Cambodia but not in Zambia. Both methods were equivalent to the observation in capturing most food groups. Both methods were highly sensitive although the multiple-pass method accurately classified a higher proportion of children meeting MDD than the list-based method in both countries. Both methods were highly specific in Cambodia but moderately so in Zambia. Cost-effectiveness was better for the list-based recall method in both countries. The two recall methods estimated MDD and most other infant and young child feeding indicators equivalently in Cambodia but not in Zambia, compared to the observation. The list-based method produced slightly more accurate estimates of MDD at the population level, took less time to administer and was less costly to implement.

Using the Socioeconomic Indicator Analysis to assess the Urban Vulnerability for Building Urban Resilience: A Case Study in Siem Reap City, Siem Reap Province

Urban climate resilience relies on several factors, but urban socioeconomics are considered as a core bloodstream for urban development and building adaptive capability to overcome urban vulnerability and climate change impacts. The socioeconomic indicators are important parameters in assessing urban resilience level on climaterelated natural and man-made disasters. This study aims to explore and address the levels of urban vulnerability and resilience in Siem Reap City, Cambodia by using variables of socioeconomic indicators. The research design of this study was made by adopting the HIGS framework (Hazard-Infrastructure-Governance-Socio-economics) on urban vulnerability assessment. Of these four key components of indicators, this study focuses only on twelve socioeconomic indicators by dividing them into three main components (demographic profile, development, and education-poverty-occupation) for assessing vulnerability and exploring how to build urban climate resilience. Data collection and research conducted using commune database data, key informant interviews and focused group discussion with Sangkats (communes) and relevant government agencies in Siem Reap City. The Siem Reap City is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and has fair resilience toward urban climate change. Siem Reap City remains high ID Poor people. It has a relatively high number of population (especially children and 60 years old) vulnerable to climate change. In addition, the main occupation in this city retains a high attribution of agricultural production, and it has been impacted by climate change. The balanced development should also be made for the communes (Sangkats) that are vulnerable to climate change impacts, especially the green infrastructure, social services, and job creation and livelihood diversification for vulnerable groups, which help reduce the vulnerability of urban areas to climate threats and also key factors for the enhancing response capacity and adaptation of the city, or scalling up small, more local and city-based climate actions.

Adoption of Electronic Cash Payment among Students: A Case Study of Siem Reap Build Bright University

This research aimed to assess students' awareness and adoption of electronic cash and analyze the factors influencing their attitudes towards this payment method. The study was conducted in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, with 211 students from Build Bright University. Findings indicated that the majority of respondents had knowledge and understanding of electronic cash, highlighting a positive level of familiarity. Convenience and ease of use influenced students' adoption of electronic cash. Students valued the seamless experience, quick transactions offered by electronic cash, and prioritizing security and privacy. Technological appeal and innovation also played a crucial role in shaping students' preferences. Trust in the payment system and perceived benefits such as rewards and discounts were influential factors.

ATM Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction: The Empirical Evidence from Commercial Banks in Cambodia’s Siem Reap Province

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ATM service quality on customer satisfaction in Commercial Banks in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province. The target samples were drawn from four Commercial Banks in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province. A total of 236 respondents’ sample sizes of Commercial Bank costumer were collected by convenience sampling. A five-point Likert scale was employed to measure. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed research framework. The results indicated that the path relationships between the independent variable of ATM service quality and the dependent variable of customer satisfaction were statistically significant and positive. In addition, the dimensions of five-ATM service quality were positively and significantly related to customer satisfaction. This study suggests that the service provided must be improved to influence the level of satisfaction for customers. Customers of Commercial Banks that use services from ATM services can be more cooperative in receiving services from better cooperation in the future.

Evaluating the maturation of mental health systems in developing countries.

Given the need for a simple tool to evaluate mental healthcare provision at the local level, we compared the duration of untreated mental illness (DUM) and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) between rural and urban areas in Cambodia, and Cambodia's DUP was also compared with that of other countries. DUM and background data were obtained at the first consultation from 940 participants in Phnom Penh (PP), the capital city, and Siem Reap province (SR) in 2016-2017. DUP data were obtained from DUM by excluding individuals with nonpsychotic mental illnesses (e.g., mood disorders, neurotic disorders, substance use, epilepsy). Student's t-test was used to compare DUM and DUP, and analysis of variance was conducted to identify associations. Mean DUM significantly differed between PP (0.6 [SD 2.3] years) and SR (4.2 [5.9] years). Mean DUP was also significantly different (0.5 [2.2] years in PP vs. 4.3 [6.7] years in SR). DUM was strongly associated with DUP. The prevalence of the various disorders differed between rural and urban areas. DUM also varied by diagnosis, indicating that DUP is a better index than DUM. However, in some cases DUM can be used, given its strong association with DUP. DUP in PP was almost the same as in developed countries and was about four times longer in SR. DUP in rural areas is much longer than in urban areas in developing countries. Although DUP is an effective index, more data from other places and before/after interventions are required to verify it further.

Determinants of poverty reduction for smallholder farmers in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

ABSTRACT This study focuses on smallholders in Siem Reap, Cambodia to identify determinants of income levels and strategies for poverty reduction based on qualitative and quantitative sources. Data was collected through 60 quantitative questionnaires, ten long-form qualitative surveys, and eight key informant interviews. Results indicate that growing higher volumes of vegetables is strongly positively related to higher household income, yet nearly 90% of households reported reluctancy to grow vegetables because it requires technical skills, capital, and market risk. These results suggest that creating an environment in which smallholders can pursue horticulture with less risk could be a strong poverty alleviation measure.

Barriers of Women in Acquiring Leadership Positions in Agricultural Cooperatives: The Case of Cambodia☆

AbstractGender inequality in agriculture remains a global concern. Cambodia is marked by a lack of women representatives in leadership and decision‐making positions at every level, a problem that is clearly seen in agriculture. Previous research suggests a need to focus on financial and time constraints for women in acquiring leadership positions. Therefore, we study the barriers that women face in acquiring and continuing in leadership roles within two farmer cooperatives in Battambang and Siem Reap Provinces, Cambodia. Qualitative data were gathered through key informant interviews and focus group discussions with smallholder farmers. We find that women in these two cooperatives do have leadership opportunities, and some do acquire leadership roles. However, they face challenges in this regard. Obstacles include domestic work burden that limits time for activities off the farm, low education that inhibits capacity and the confidence to serve as leaders, and lack of proper compensation for leadership positions. If government agencies, policymakers, donors, NGOs, and others want women to play a greater leadership role, they need to reduce the interrelated constraints of time poverty, lack of capacity, and insufficient compensation.

Fish consumption patterns and value chain analysis in north-western Cambodia

This paper aims to understand the fish consumption patterns in northwestern Cambodia and to identify the key challenges in the fisheries value chain, and how to overcome these challenges for the sustainable development of Cambodia’s fisheries sector. In Cambodia, fisheries resources are abundant, while value addition to fishery products is limited given that fish is a perishable food product which requires proper handling soon after harvesting. A survey was conducted with various stakeholders like fish wholesalers, retailers, consumers, government officials and processors in Battambang and Siem Reap provinces, in northwestern Cambodia. Nine key challenges within the postharvest fish supply value chain were identified as barriers posing threats to fishery products and limiting the market competitiveness of Cambodian fishery products. Technological issues -i.e. processing, packaging, preservation-, market access and raw fish supply deficiencies accounted for more than 60% of the challenges raised by respondents from the beginning of the supply chain (fishers) to consumers. Consequently, investment in infrastructure development, cost-effective technology and training, innovative solutions on processing techniques (drying, smoking and fermenting), and secure access to markets were recommended to improve the fish supply chain and increase the competitiveness of Cambodian fishery products in domestic and international markets. Further investigation on product diversification, branding and cost-effective innovative processing techniques should be carried out to create opportunities and value addition to Cambodian fishery products. A supportive policy instrument is also necessary for the sustainable growth of Cambodia’s fisheries sector.

The Effectiveness of Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) Conservation in Cambodia

Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) is a critically endangered bustard (type of bird) inhabiting alluvial grasslands in India, Nepal and Cambodia. Bengal Florican conservation areas (BFCAs) cover 31,159 ha (312 km2) in Kampong Thom and Siem Reap provinces. Local communities need to get involved in the management of grasslands and understand the reasons for the decline of Bengal florican. Conservation activities within BFCAs include field patrols to prevent hunting and land encroachment, environmental education and raising awareness, and provision of agricultural development support for lands outside the BFCAs. This study aims to estimate the population trends of Bengal florican (H. bengalensis) in the last ten years (2010-2019), to determine threats to Bengal florican in BFCAs, and to understand the perceptions of the locals regarding Bengal florican conservation in the northern Tonle Sap Protected Landscape, Cambodia. In the BFCAs of Stoung-Chikraeng and Baray-Chong Doung districts, data was collected in terms of seventy-one factors for use in a line transect method, and key informant interviews were conducted with ninety-seven respondents. This study found the population of Bengal florican in Stoung-Chikraeng has been stabilizing in the last three years (2017-2019). In Baray-Chong Doung the population of Bengal florican is still declining in the BFCAs. The threat factors to the population of Bengal florican in the conservation areas have been found to be: hunting 30.7%, chemicals 16.4%, habitat loss 15.6%, rice planting in the dry season 13.1%, power transmission lines 10.7%, and low education (public awareness) 5.7%. The observation of human disturbance using a line transect method found 25 line transects with strong cattle foraging (48.1%) in Stoung-Chikraeng, 30 line transects with cattle foraging (28.9%) in Baray and 16 line transects with cattle foraging (32.0%) in Chong Doung BFCAs. 80.4% of the respondents understand the purpose of the Bengal florican conservation (to promote ecotourism activities, ecological balance, community income, to protect the natural resources, create jobs for local people) and 78.4% of community members understand the management conservation of Bengal florican in BFCAs (Wild patrolled, Sustainable Rice Platform, Nest protection program, Ecotourism service). We concluded that Stoung-Chikraeng is an important area for Bengal florican conservation due to the food supply and a high survival rate of Bengal florican. The area was also found to be amenable to linking conservation participation to improved livelihoods of the local community through ecotourism (bird watching). To improve the conservation of Bengal florican in Baray-Chong Doung, we propose increasing education and public awareness.

Seasonal comparison of groundwater level and quality in the catchment of the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

Groundwater in the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake has been used for domestic, agriculture, and small industries. The variation of surface water availability and increasing demand, cause the increasing of groundwater extraction especially during dry season. So far, the study on groundwater resources is extremely limited comparing to surface water in the Tonle Sap catchments. So that, this study focusses on groundwater quality and level from 27 wells in Kompong Thom, Siem Reap, and Preh Vihear province. Seasonal variation of groundwater level shows that groundwater level in Siem Reap is about 1.5m and 4.3m below the ground surface in rainy season and dry season respectively while in Kampong Thom province it is about 0.7m and 2m below the ground surface in rainy season and dry season, respectively. from in situ measurement, some parameters such as pH ranged from 4.1 to 8.1, total dissolved solid from 21 to 1200 mg/L, turbidity from 0 to 88 NTU, temperature from 28 to 31°C, ORP from −2.2 to 424mV, and EC from 35 to 2000 μSm/cm. The concentrations of major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Cl−, SO4 2− and HCO3 −) were approximate or under the permissible value and it was suitable for irrigation.

Dietary diversity and nutritional status of 2 to 5 years old children in households with and without home gardens in selected districts in Siem Reap province, Cambodia

Introduction: There is a high prevalence of malnutrition in Cambodia during the past 10 years. One of the programmes implemented to secure household food security in order to alleviate malnutrition was home gardening. This study aimed to compare the nutritional status of 2 to 5 years old children in households with and without home gardens. Methods: Twenty-five households with home gardens and 60 households without home gardens were sampled. Results: The households sampled had a mixed type of home garden with three to five crop varieties occupying 20 to 200 square meters area. The purpose of the garden was to increase vegetable consumption and produce additional income. Results showed that 72% and 65% of the children resided in households with and without home gardens, respectively. Majority had medium dietary diversity score, i.e. consumed four to five different food groups per day. Except for stunting, higher prevalences of undernutrition (32%) and wasting (8%) were observed among children residing in households with home gardens compared to children in households without home gardens. Conclusion: There were no associations for dietary diversity score and nutritional status of children from households with and without home gardens. Among the sociodemographic and economic factors, age, sex, family size, and vegetable consumption were significantly associated with dietary diversity score and nutritional status of the children.

Investigating Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Coliforms on Fresh Vegetables Sold in Informal Markets in Cambodia

Vegetables in Cambodia are commonly sold in informal markets lacking food safety standards and controls. Current data on microbial contamination of vegetables in Cambodian informal markets are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate Salmonella enterica and indicator organisms (Escherichia coli and coliforms) on the surface of fresh vegetables sold in informal markets in Cambodia. Samples of loose-leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers were collected from 104 vendors at four informal markets in Battambang and Siem Reap provinces during the rainy and dry seasons. Detection methods for S. enterica were adapted from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual. Coliform and E. coli populations were quantified by plating onto E. coli/coliform count plates. S. enterica was most prevalent on lettuce during the dry season (56.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] [41.0, 70.8]) than during the rainy season (15.4%, 95% CI [7.5, 29.1]), whereas no significant seasonal differences were apparent for tomatoes and cucumbers. Regardless of season, levels of S. enterica were highest on lettuce (5.7 log CFU/g, 95% CI [5.5, 5.9]), relative to cucumbers (4.2 log CFU/g, 95% CI [3.8, 4.6]) and tomatoes (4.3 log CFU/g, 95% CI [4.1, 4.6]). For E. coli, prevalence was higher during the rainy season (34.0%, 95% CI [25.4, 43.8]) than during the dry season (9.1%, 95% CI [4.9, 16.5]), with the highest prevalence estimated on lettuce. Coliform levels on lettuce and tomatoes were greater during the rainy season (6.3 and 5.3 log CFU/g, 95% CI [5.7, 6.8] and [4.7, 5.8], respectively) than during the dry season (5.2 and 3.9 log CFU/g, 95% CI [4.7, 5.7] and [3.4, 4.4], respectively). These results indicate seasonal patterns for microbial prevalence in lettuce and an overall high level of bacterial contamination on raw vegetables sold in Cambodian informal markets.

Molecular phylogenetics, PCA, and MFA recover a new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from an isolated sandstone massif in northwestern Cambodia.

The integrated results of maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses, principal component analyses (PCA), and a multiple factor analysis (MFA) recover a new, widely allopatric species of the Cyrtodactylus intermedius species group. Cyrtodactylus kulenensis sp. nov is endemic to the Phnom Kulen sandstone massif of the Phnom Kulen National Park, Siem Reap Province, in the lowlands of northwestern Cambodia. A phylogenetic analysis from a short read (275 base pairs) of the mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) from C. kulenensis sp. nov. was aligned with 1449 base pairs from all other species in the intermedius group. The analysis recovered C. kulenensis sp. nov. as the sister species to a lineage composed of populations from the widely separated hilly regions of Sa Keao and Sakaerat in eastern Thailand. Multivariate (PCA, DAPC, and MFA) and univariate analyses (ANOVA) using combinations of meristic (scale counts), mensural (morphometric), and categorical (color pattern and morphology) characters from 52 specimens encompassing all species of the intermedius group clearly demonstrate C. kulenensis sp. nov. is significantly different and discretely diagnosable from all other species in the intermedius group. This new discovery further highlights the herpetological diversity and high levels of range-restricted endemism in basin-habitat-island landscapes throughout Indochina and the continued need for field work in the landscapes that remain unsurveyed.